Many hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are preventable, so facilities need to place a greater focus on implementing infection prevention strategies to break the chain of transmission, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.

More aggressive terminal cleaning procedures in addition to daily cleaning and disinfection protocols can prevent the spread of prevalent and potentially deadly pathogens, such as C. difficile, which can exist in areas beyond the rooms of C. difficile patients to bathrooms and waiting areas, the article said.

According to the article, terminal or discharge cleaning refers to the comprehensive, deep cleaning of a patient room at the time of discharge or when infection transmission precautions end. 

The disinfection strategy must include:

• Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces touched by patients, health care providers and visitors

• Cleaning of environmental surfaces and visibly soiled surfaces, followed by disinfection in accordance with the facility's discharge procedures

Read the article.